Why Your Website Ranking Dropped in December

Google's New Algorithm Update Backfired

In December, many of website owners experienced a drop in keyword rankings, visibility, and event traffic — most likely due to Google’s new core update. 

In the middle of the holiday season, Google felt that was a great time to release a new update that would target spammy websites harboring spammy content with spammy AI-generated stuff. 

In a perfect world, I could see this being a huge benefit for websites doing white-hat SEO with useful content to share. 

Nope! Unfortunately, this was not the outcome Google intended — or was it..?

Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable explains it with perfection – 18.9K subscribers

What Was the Google Update About?

Google periodically updates its search algorithms to improve the quality and relevance of search results. Google initiated its December 2024 core update, which finished on December 18.

Following the core update, Google launched a spam update on December 19, 2024. This update targeted websites employing manipulative tactics, reinforcing Google’s commitment to combating spam and ensuring the integrity of search results. Aiding websites with:

  • Is highly relevant to search queries.

  • Demonstrates expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E-A-T).

  • Offers unique insights and value to users.

The goal was to elevate high-quality websites while reducing the visibility of low-quality or spammy content.

What Actually Happened?

While the intention behind the update was to reward websites utilizing Google’s Best Practices for SEO, the rollout inadvertently impacted many quality websites. Websites with strong content, reliable backlink profiles, and consistent performance saw drops in visibility and traffic despite meeting Google’s standards.

Whether this was the unintended outcome Google had planned, it has raised concerns across industries and sparked discussions within the digital marketing community — and not in a good way.

What The SEO Industry Is Saying

The Nature of the Declines

  • The magnitude of Losses: Reports from website owners indicated that traffic drops were not minor fluctuations but significant losses, with some businesses experiencing up to 50% declines in organic search traffic.
  • Impact on Revenue: For many businesses, especially those reliant on organic search for lead generation or sales, such a drastic drop in traffic directly impacted their revenue streams, leading to operational and financial strain.

Why the Declines Were Surprising

  1. Adherence to Guidelines: Many of the affected websites followed Google’s published content quality guidelines. These include producing original, valuable, and people-first content while avoiding manipulative SEO practices.
  2. No Apparent Spam Issues: Despite the December spam update targeting websites employing manipulative tactics, many affected sites had no history of spammy behavior or violations.
  3. Sudden Changes: The abrupt traffic drops caught many off guard, as there was no clear indication prior to the update that their rankings might be at risk.

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Do you want to know how your competitors show on the first page of Google? We can show you how you can get there too! Laced Media has a specific technique that competes with major competitors. We show you how our digital marketing strategy. 

Possible Explanations for the Declines

Google may be laughing at this update or panicking due to the advert outcome.

  • Algorithm Overcorrection: Google’s updates may have unintentionally penalized legitimate websites during the process of refining rankings and removing low-quality content.
  • Ranking Shifts in Competitive Niches: In competitive industries, even minor changes in ranking algorithms can cause significant fluctuations as positions are reshuffled.
  • Misclassification: Some websites may have been incorrectly flagged as spammy or low-quality due to the nuances of the updated algorithms.

Broader Implications

  • Trust Erosion: These declines have led to skepticism among website owners regarding Google’s transparency and consistency in algorithm updates.
  • Content Strategy Reevaluation: Many site owners are now questioning whether their current strategies align with Google’s evolving priorities, prompting a reevaluation of SEO tactics and content focus.

Google’s Response

Google has consistently emphasized the importance of creating helpful, people-first content and reviewing its guidance on core updates. However, it has also stated that recovering from a core update can take time, often requiring further updates to restore previously lost rankings.

This situation underscores the challenges of striking a balance between refining algorithms to enhance search quality and minimizing unintended consequences for legitimate website owners.

What To Do if Your Website Was Affected?

If your website was affected by Google’s update, there are steps you can take to regain visibility and adapt to the changes.

  1. Start by conducting a comprehensive audit of your site’s content, keywords, and technical SEO to ensure alignment with Google’s guidelines.
  2. Identify areas where you can improve, such as optimizing for user intent, enhancing content quality, and addressing technical issues.
  3. Develop a strategic action plan to implement these improvements and strengthen your website’s position in search rankings.

As a digital marketing company, we can help assess the damages if your website was affected due to penalties for spam. Contact us directly so we can do a full audit of your website health and position. 

Best Social Media Marketing Strategies for Restaurants

Social Media Marketing Made Easy

social media is one of the most powerful tools for growing your restaurant or catering business. It allows you to connect with your audience, showcase your offerings, and build a loyal community of customers. However, managing social media effectively requires more than just posting pictures of food. It’s about creating a consistent brand presence, engaging with followers, and using analytics to refine your strategy. Whether you’re running a restaurant or a catering service, a well-managed social media presence can help you attract new clients, boost your reputation, and stand out in a competitive market. Here’s how to do it right.

Tips On How to Manage Facebook & Instagram

Posting on Facebook and Instagram helps your restaurant or catering business reach a wider audience, showcase visually appealing content, and engage with customers. These platforms offer targeted advertising, customer interaction, increased discoverability, and analytics to help your strategy, making them essential tools for growing your business. Here are some tips on how to get the most from these social media platforms and their importance to restaurants.

Showcase Unique Menus and Events

      • Post high-quality photos and videos of your dishes, event setups, and behind-the-scenes preparation.
      • Highlight specialty menus for local events like tech conferences, weddings, or cultural celebrations.

Leverage Location-Based Content

        • Tag San Francisco venues, landmarks, and neighborhoods in your posts.
        • Use hashtags like #SFCatering, #BayAreaFoodies, #SanFranciscoEvents, and #BayAreaWeddings.
  •  

Engage with Your Audience

      • Respond promptly to comments, questions, and direct messages.
      • Create interactive posts like polls (“Which dish would you pick for your next event?”) or quizzes.

Highlight Client Testimonials and Success Stories

      • Share client feedback and photos from past events in San Francisco.
      • Post video testimonials or “thank you” messages from happy clients.
  1.  

Post Event-Driven Content

      • Feature catering for popular San Francisco events, like tech meetups, holiday parties, or city festivals.
      • Create posts celebrating local holidays or food trends (e.g., #MeatlessMonday or #SFStreetFood).

Share Behind-the-Scenes Content

      • Post stories or reels showing food preparation, staff interactions, or your team at events.
      • Showcase your commitment to fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients.

Incorporate Video Content

      • Share videos of your team setting up a buffet or plating dishes.
      • Create quick recipe demos or cooking tips inspired by your catering menus.

Utilize User-Generated Content

  • Encourage clients to tag your business in their event photos.
  • Share their posts with permission to highlight real experiences.

Stay Consistent and Strategic

  • Maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged.
  • Use analytics tools to track which types of posts perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Offer Value-Added Content

  • Post tips for planning events, choosing menus, or pairing food with drinks.
  • Share blog links or infographics that showcase your expertise in catering.

Paid Ads and Influencers

Paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram is a powerful way to grow your restaurant business — if you have the budget to do it. With their advanced targeting options, you can reach specific demographics, locations, and interests, making sure your ads connect with the right audience and not shooting blanks.

Collaborate with Local Influencers and Businesses

      • Partner with San Francisco event planners, venues, and influencers to promote your services.
      • Share and engage with posts from local businesses and organizations.

Run Localized Ads

      • Use Facebook and Instagram Ads targeting San Francisco demographics, such as engaged couples, corporate event planners, or food enthusiasts.
      • Offer limited-time promotions like “10% off catering for events in SF booked this month.”

The beauty of these platforms is their scalability—you can start with a modest budget and increase your spend as you see results. If you have the funds, you can run multiple campaigns simultaneously, promote premium offerings, or expand your reach to new cities. Features like retargeting allow you to focus on users who’ve already interacted with your business, increasing conversions.

The more you invest, the bigger your impact: higher budgets unlock access to larger audiences, better placements, and longer campaign durations, driving greater visibility and engagement for your business.

People Like Raw Footage & Behind the Scenes

People love seeing raw footage and behind-the-scenes content on social media because it feels authentic and personal. It gives them a glimpse into the heart of your restaurant or catering business, showing the passion and effort that goes into creating every dish or event.

Transparency builds trust and connection, making customers feel more invested in your brand. Whether it’s a chef preparing a signature dish, the team setting up for an event, or candid moments during service, behind-the-scenes content adds a human touch that polished ads can’t replicate, fostering a deeper relationship with your audience and a customer for life even!

Get a FREE Digital Marketing Strategy

Do you want to know how your competitors show on the first page of Google? We can show you how you can get there too! Laced Media has a specific technique that competes with major competitors. We show you how our digital marketing strategy. 

Why Pay a Company to Handle Your Social Media Marketing

Hiring a professional social media marketing company ensures your restaurant or catering business gets expert-level management and results. They bring experience in creating targeted strategies, crafting engaging content, and running effective ad campaigns tailored to your audience.

A dedicated team saves you time, allowing you to focus on your business while they handle posting, engagement, and analytics. They also stay updated on the latest trends and platform changes, ensuring your marketing remains competitive. Plus, their expertise in scaling ads and optimizing budgets can maximize your ROI, helping your business grow faster than managing social media on your own.

Benefits of Choosing a SEMrush Agency Partner

Choosing a SEMrush Agency Partner for Your Digital Marketing

Finding the right digital marketing company can make or break your business. With countless options available, how do you ensure you’re choosing a reliable, competent agency? One effective way is to select a digital marketing company listed on SEMrush Agency Partners. These agencies have proven track records, exceptional skills, and access to SEMrush’s vast resources.

Not to mention they are tested to know the industry standard skills needed in digital marketing.

semrush agency partner certified

Why Choose a SEMrush Agency Partner?

Proven Expertise

SEMrush is a renowned name in the digital marketing world, known for its comprehensive tools and resources. Agencies listed as SEMrush partners have demonstrated exceptional proficiency in utilizing these tools to achieve stellar results for their clients. This affiliation means you can trust these agencies to have the knowledge and experience necessary to optimize your digital marketing efforts effectively.

Access to Cutting-Edge Tools and Resources

SEMrush partners have exclusive access to the latest tools, features, and data insights. This access allows them to stay ahead of industry trends and implement strategies that leverage the most up-to-date information and technology. This advantage translates to more effective campaigns, better SEO results, and a higher return on investment (ROI) for your marketing dollars.

Customized Strategies for Diverse Industries

A SEMrush Agency Partner understands that each industry has unique challenges and opportunities. They tailor their strategies to meet the specific needs of different sectors, ensuring that the approaches they implement are highly relevant and effective.

Use For Project

The great part about the SEMrush partners is they will list if they are available for project work or long-term campaigns. This can be extremely helpful for businesses new to digital marketing and may not have the budget for a big commitment. This can give new opportunities for businesses to grow by doing projects to increase their digital imprint.

SEMrush Tools Can Boost Digital Marketing Strategy

semrush graph showing increase in organic traffic from seo

Laced Media: A Specialized Partner for Medical Professionals

Laced Media stands out as a SEMrush Agency Partner with a focus on SEO, web design, and AdWords campaigns for dentists, oral surgeons, and plastic surgeons. Here’s why Laced Media is an excellent choice for professionals in these fields:

SEO Expertise

Laced Media excels in search engine optimization (SEO), ensuring that your practice appears at the top of search engine results. By leveraging SEMrush tools, they conduct thorough keyword research, competitive analysis, and ongoing performance tracking. This expertise helps drive organic traffic to your website, increasing visibility and attracting potential patients actively searching for your services.

Stunning Web Design

Your website is often the first impression potential patients have of your practice. Laced Media’s web design services focus on creating user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and highly functional websites. They ensure that your site not only looks professional but also provides a seamless user experience, which is crucial for converting visitors into patients.

Effective AdWords Campaigns

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can be a highly effective way to attract new patients, but it requires precision to be cost-effective. Laced Media’s expertise in AdWords campaigns ensures that your ads are targeted, compelling, and optimized for maximum ROI. By focusing on the right keywords and demographic targeting, they help you reach the right audience at the right time.

Get a FREE Digital Marketing Strategy

Do you want to know how your competitors show on the first page of Google? We can show you how you can get there too! Laced Media has a specific technique that competes with major competitors. We show you how our digital marketing strategy. 

Choosing From The Best

Selecting a digital marketing company listed on SEMrush Agency Partners offers numerous benefits, from proven expertise to access to cutting-edge tools. For dentists, oral surgeons, and plastic surgeons, Laced Media is an exemplary partner. Their specialization in SEO, web design, and AdWords campaigns ensures that your practice not only stands out in a crowded market but also attracts and retains more patients.

By choosing a SEMrush Agency Partner like Laced Media, you can be confident that your digital marketing efforts are in capable hands, allowing you to focus on what you do best—providing exceptional care to your patients.

What is SEO?

Why Search Engine Optimization is Important For Your Company

With covid constantly changing the restuarant industry, we find many local restaurants are needing to alter their way of marketing.

If you are interested in getting more customers for your restaurant, the ideal thing to do is invest in a good website. When I talk of a website, I don’t just mean an ordinary website, I mean an SEO optimized website that will drive visitors to your site and create new customers for your restaurant.

What Is SEO?

SEO means Search Engine Optimization and it involves a set of techniques and strategies aimed at optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) organically.

While paid advertising can instantly boost visibility, SEO focuses on the long-term game, aiming to increase organic traffic through various means rather than relying solely on ad spend — which can get expensive.

SEO, Search Engine Optimization, Online Marketing

Check If Your Website Has SEO

How Does SEO Work?

SEO involves a multifaceted approach that addresses both technical aspects and content relevance. This includes optimizing website structure and performance, using relevant keywords strategically, creating high-quality content, and building authoritative backlinks from reputable sources. Search engines like Google constantly refine their algorithms to deliver the most relevant and valuable results to users, making SEO an ongoing process of adaptation and refinement.

The Importance of SEO for Companies

Increased Visibility: Ranking higher in search engine results means more visibility to potential customers. Studies have shown that websites appearing on the first page of search results receive significantly more clicks, with the top few positions garnering the majority of clicks. By optimizing for SEO, companies can improve their chances of being found by users actively searching for products or services they offer.

Targeted Traffic: SEO allows companies to target specific keywords and phrases relevant to their business, attracting users who are already interested in what they have to offer. Unlike traditional advertising methods that cast a wide net, SEO enables businesses to connect with users actively seeking information or solutions related to their industry, resulting in higher-quality traffic and more qualified leads.

Credibility and Trust: Websites that rank higher in search results are often perceived as more credible and trustworthy by users. By appearing at the top of the SERPs, companies can establish themselves as authoritative figures in their field, instilling confidence in potential customers and encouraging them to engage with their brand.

Cost-Effectiveness: While paid advertising can yield immediate results, it requires ongoing investment to maintain visibility. On the other hand, SEO offers a cost-effective alternative, as organic traffic does not incur per-click charges. Once a website achieves high rankings through SEO efforts, it can continue to attract traffic and generate leads without additional advertising costs, providing long-term value for the investment.

Competitive Advantage: In today’s fiercely competitive digital landscape, companies that neglect SEO risk being overshadowed by competitors who prioritize it. By investing in SEO and staying ahead of the curve, businesses can gain a competitive edge, positioning themselves prominently in search results and outperforming rivals who lag behind in online visibility.

MGM resorts organic SEO rankings

Include SEO into Your Marketing Strategy

SEO plays a pivotal role in the success of companies operating in the digital realm. By optimizing their online presence for search engines, businesses can enhance visibility, attract targeted traffic, build credibility, and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, investing in SEO remains essential for companies seeking to thrive and grow in the ever-expanding online marketplace.

Get An SEO Expert

An SEO Specialist can provide maintenance to your website’s visibility, increase traffic, and gain more customers with measurable data!  Laced Media has the professional SEO experts to get your company thriving. Schedule a free consultation call today.

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What Do You Update First – WordPress Or Plugins?

Time To Update Your WordPress

Working on your website can be fun and exciting. When it comes to updating the platform and plugins, that fun can immediately turn into a nightmare. While professionals in web design and development deal with website updates all the time, new users may not and it can be nerve-racking.

We have seen many websites transition through updates flawlessly while some updates can seriously break your website if you are not careful. One of the biggest questions we see is – Do you update the WordPress core or the plugins first?

The good news is WordPress has one of the easiest updating systems available — and is the most used platform of choice. The core coding is designed to be backward compatible in most senses and can make transitioning to your update easy.

Update Core First

When you have some updates to do, always update the core first, then update your plugins and themes right after.

After an update, you should always check that the site is working as expected. If there are any issues, you can contact the support staff of the plugin or theme you are using. Contacting support when your core is not yet updated is fruitless because good developers always test on the latest version of WordPress, and will mostly ask you to get your site up to the latest version as well to help in troubleshooting.

So there you have it, an answer to a question that gets asked often around here.

We understand not everyone is tech-savvy, which is why we are here to help. Laced Media offers website maintenance services to help your website run smoothly, and securely. 

SEO for Law Firms That Work

Unlocking Success: SEO Strategies for Law Firms

When it comes to finding a lawyer in California, there are literally a dime a dozen. They are everywhere. 

However, when it comes down to picking the right legal practice, it tends to be a grab bag where you put your hand in a bowl of names and see which one comes out. 

Much like searching online for a law office. 

Advertise Where It Counts - SEO

Establishing a hefty online presence is crucial for businesses across all industries, including law firms. With the vast majority of consumers who need to sue, they turn to Google to find legal services.

This is where investing in SEO for lawyers has become a cornerstone for law firms aiming to thrive in the competitive online landscape.

lawyers on page 1 of Google search

Understanding the Importance of SEO for Law Firms

SEO serves as the bridge between potential clients and law firms — helping you get in front of people actively looking for lawyers in their area.

By optimizing your website and content for search engines, law firms can enhance visibility, attract qualified leads, and ultimately, increase the client base. With a well-executed SEO strategy, law firms can position themselves as authoritative voices in their respective legal niches, building trust and credibility with potential clients. Easy Right?

Are Law Firms Including SEO into Their Marketing?

The short answer — no. Most lawyers and their practices do not actively uphold SEO management. We inspected hundreds maybe thousands of legal websites with only 6% of them exhibiting any signs of SEO being done. Mind-blowing to think of all the opportunities for any law practice to gain doing SEO since so little of the practices do NOT currently include SEO in their marketing strategy. 

This is where it gets good — imagine you are the only law office in Santa Rosa doing search engine optimization while a majority of the other practices are not. This means a single practice can literally dominate the market purely just because no one else is doing SEO. That is the potential here. Leveraging your odds against other competitors because you are doing something they are not. Ready to get SEO now? Get a FREE website audit.

Key SEO Tactics for Law Firms

Keyword Research: Identifying and targeting relevant keywords related to legal services is crucial for driving organic traffic to a law firm’s website. Conduct thorough keyword research to uncover high-volume, low-competition keywords that align with your practice areas.

On-Page Optimization: Optimize your website’s meta titles, meta descriptions, headings, and content with targeted keywords. Ensure that your website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for fast loading speeds to provide a seamless browsing experience for visitors.

Content Marketing: Producing high-quality, informative content tailored to your target audience’s needs is integral to an effective SEO strategy for law firms. Publish blog posts, articles, case studies, and legal guides that address common legal questions, concerns, and issues faced by your potential clients.

Local SEO: Law firms heavily rely on local clientele. Therefore, optimizing your website for local search is essential. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing, acquire local citations, and ensure consistency of your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) across all online directories.

Link Building: Building a strong backlink profile is crucial for enhancing your law firm’s authority and credibility in the eyes of search engines. Seek opportunities for guest blogging, partnerships, and online directories to earn high-quality backlinks from reputable websites.

Benefits of SEO for Law Firms

Increased Visibility: Effective SEO strategies can significantly improve a law firm’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it easier for potential clients to discover and engage with their services.

Enhanced Credibility: Ranking prominently in search results positions law firms as trustworthy and authoritative sources within their practice areas, instilling confidence in potential clients.

Cost-Effective Marketing: Compared to traditional forms of advertising, such as billboards or print ads, SEO offers a cost-effective means of marketing for law firms, delivering long-term results and a higher return on investment (ROI).

Targeted Traffic: SEO enables law firms to attract highly targeted traffic consisting of individuals actively seeking legal assistance, increasing the likelihood of conversion and client acquisition.

Actionable Tips for Law Firms

Stay Updated: Keep updated on the latest SEO trends, algorithm updates, and best practices to adapt your strategy accordingly and maintain your competitive edge.

Monitor Performance: Utilize analytics tools to track key metrics such as website traffic, keyword rankings, and conversion rates, allowing you to measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts and identify areas for improvement.

Invest in Quality Content: Content remains king in the realm of SEO. Prioritize creating valuable, relevant, and engaging content that resonates with your target audience to attract and retain visitors.

Build Relationships: Cultivate relationships with other professionals in your industry, as well as potential clients, through networking, social media engagement, and participation in online communities.

meeting with lawyers

Get An SEO Expert For Your Law Office

An SEO Specialist can provide maintenance to your website’s visibility, increase traffic, and gain more clients with measurable data!  Laced Media has the professional SEO experts to get your office thriving. Schedule a free consultation call today.

digital marketing for small business, is digital marketing worth it

GA4’s Changes Conversions to Key Events: What it means for SEO

More Changes in GA4 To Look Out For: Conversions To Key Events

Oh Google, how we have a love-hate relationship. Especially when you make changes to your metrics recording in Google Analytics. But, we all must adhere to the man making the rules.

As digital marketing is a forever-changing landscape, staying updated with analytics tools is crucial for optimizing strategies and maximizing results. We learned from recent post on Search Engine Land AND discovered some of our clients, Google has renamed Conversions to Key Events.

Fun, we love it when Google changes things.

What Happened in GA4

Google Analytics, the quintessential platform for website analysis, has recently undergone a significant transformation with its shift from tracking Conversions to Key Events in its latest version, Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This change marks a fundamental evolution in how marketers gauge user interactions and measure success. Let’s explore the reasons behind this shift and try to find the benefits it brings to SEO and digital marketers.

Why Did GA4 Change To Key Events

The shift from Conversions to Key Events in GA4 reflects a paradigmatic change in how user engagement and conversions are measured. Traditionally, Conversions were tracked primarily through specific actions, such as form submissions or product purchases. However, this approach had limitations in capturing the nuanced interactions users have with websites, especially in the era of dynamic web applications and multi-channel marketing.

Key Events, on the other hand, offer a more comprehensive and flexible approach to tracking user engagement. Rather than focusing solely on predefined conversion actions, Key Events allow marketers to track a broader range of user interactions, such as clicks, scrolls, video views, and app interactions. This granular level of tracking provides deeper insights into user behavior, enabling marketers to better understand the customer journey and optimize their strategies accordingly.

conversions to key events in ga4, new changes in ga4

What This Means for SEOs

  1. Enhanced Data Accuracy: Key Events offer a more precise measurement of user interactions, providing SEO professionals with accurate data on how visitors engage with their website. This enables them to identify high-performing content, optimize user experience, and refine their SEO strategies accordingly.

  2. Deeper Insights into User Behavior: By tracking a wider range of user interactions, including non-conversion events, SEO professionals can gain deeper insights into user behavior patterns. This allows them to uncover valuable opportunities for optimization, such as identifying content gaps, improving site navigation, and enhancing engagement metrics.

  3. Adaptive Optimization Strategies: Key Events empower SEO professionals to adapt their optimization strategies in real-time based on evolving user behavior trends. Whether it’s adjusting content strategies, refining keyword targeting, or optimizing site architecture, the flexibility offered by Key Events enables agile and data-driven decision-making.

Digital Marketing Benefits

  1. Comprehensive Performance Tracking: Key Events provide digital marketers with a holistic view of user interactions across different touchpoints, including websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms. This enables them to measure the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns more accurately and identify areas for improvement.
  2. Cross-Channel Attribution: With Key Events, digital marketers can track user interactions across multiple channels and devices, allowing for more accurate attribution modeling. This enables them to better understand the customer journey and allocate marketing resources more effectively across various touchpoints.
  3. Customized Reporting and Analysis: Key Events in GA4 offer customizable reporting capabilities, allowing digital marketers to tailor analytics dashboards to their specific needs and objectives. Whether it’s tracking e-commerce transactions, lead generation activities, or content engagement metrics, marketers can create bespoke reports that provide actionable insights for optimization.
  4.  

Our Thoughts On This GA4 Change

We understand that Google is God — the digital god in the sense it makes all the rules that us SEO’ers need to follow.

The transition from Conversions to Key Events in Google Analytics 4 represents a significant advancement in how user engagement and conversions are measured in the digital marketing landscape. By offering a more flexible and comprehensive approach to tracking user interactions, Key Events empower SEO professionals and digital marketers to gain deeper insights into user behavior, optimize their strategies more effectively, and drive better business outcomes. Embracing this shift enables marketers to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly data-driven and dynamic environment.

Access To An SEO Expert

An SEO Specialist can provide maintenance to your website’s visibility, increase traffic, and gain more customers with measurable data!  Laced Media has professional SEO experts to get your website thriving. Schedule a free consultation call today.

digital marketing for small business, is digital marketing worth it

Navigating Marketing Strategies for Wineries in Healdsburg, CA: Traditional vs. Digital

Traditional Marketing Vs Digital Marketing For Wineries & Vineyards

In the heart of Sonoma County lies the boutique town of Healdsburg, California, renowned for its vineyards and wineries that produce some of the world’s finest wines. As the wine industry continues to thrive, wineries in Healdsburg face the challenge of effectively marketing their products to stand out in a crowded market.

In this digital age, the choice between traditional and digital marketing strategies becomes increasingly demanding — but is one marketing area better than the other in this industry? We will be unbias as we can as the ultimate goal is to see wineries be successful.

Traditional Marketing: Honoring Heritage

Traditional marketing methods have long been the backbone of promoting wineries. From glossy brochures to elegant wine tastings and prestigious events, traditional marketing embodies the essence of the wine industry’s heritage and craftsmanship. For wineries in Healdsburg, this approach may involve:

  1. Wine Tastings and Events: Healdsburg’s wineries frequently host wine tastings and events, providing an immersive experience for visitors to indulge in the region’s finest wines while getting close up and personal with the brand and winemakers.

  2. Print Advertising: Magazines, newspapers, and local publications remain effective channels for wineries to showcase their offerings and attract tourists seeking an authentic wine country experience.

  3. Direct Mail Campaigns: Sending newsletters, postcards, or catalogs directly to customers’ mailboxes can help wineries stay top-of-mind and nurture long-term relationships with their members.

  4. Collaborations and Partnerships: Teaming up with local restaurants, hotels, or tour operators allows wineries to expand their reach and tap into new customer segments through partnerships.

While traditional marketing strategies work and are prestige, they often bring higher costs and limit the targeted audience compared to their digital counterparts.

Digital Marketing: Reaching New Audiences

The fact that 85% of a sale in any industry starts with a Google search, wineries in Healdsburg should adapt to new marketing paradigms — to thrive in a competitive market. Digital marketing offers a plethora of tools and platforms to engage with consumers on a more personalized level. The crazy part is the majority of wineries are missing out on these lush opportunities. Key components of digital marketing for wineries include:

  1. Social Media Presence: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter enable wineries to showcase their vineyards, share behind-the-scenes glimpses, and engage directly with followers through posts, stories, and interactive content. 

  2. Email Marketing: Crafting targeted email campaigns allows wineries to communicate promotions, events, and exclusive offers to subscribers, and collaborate with associations to drive new business.

  3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing website content with relevant keywords and metadata helps wineries rank higher in search engine results, increasing visibility and attracting organic traffic.

  4. E-commerce Platforms: Setting up online stores enables wineries to reach customers beyond Healdsburg’s borders, offering convenient access to their wines and expanding revenue streams.

  5. Data Analytics: Leveraging analytics tools provides valuable insights into consumer behavior, allowing wineries to refine their marketing strategies and tailor how they engage with visitors on the website and expansion.

Digital marketing empowers wineries with cost-effective, targeted, and measurable strategies to reach a global audience while preserving the authenticity and allure of Healdsburg’s wine culture.

wine bottles lined up for marketing online

Finding The Best Marketing For Your Winery

In the dynamic landscape of wine marketing, a blend of traditional and digital strategies often yields the most fruitful — yes, pun intended — results for wineries in Healdsburg. By harmonizing the timeless elegance of traditional marketing with the incredible reach of digital platforms, wineries can cultivate strong brand identities, foster customer loyalty, and navigate the ever-evolving wine market landscape with confidence.

Laced Media admires the adventures of a vineyard tour or the immersive experience of an Instagram story, wineries in Healdsburg have a wealth of marketing avenues at their disposal — they just need to take the opportunity. By embracing both traditional and digital marketing approaches, they can raise a toast to success in the vibrant wine country of Healdsburg, California.

Be The First Winery Doing Digital Marketing

Get ahead before all other wineries! Get more visitors and website visibility, increase traffic, and gain more wine memberships with measurable data!  Laced Media has professional SEO experts to get your wines thriving. Schedule a free consultation call today.

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Digital Marketing Benchmarks for Wineries: How to Measure Success

Identifying The Metrics For Wineries From SEO

In today’s digital age, wineries have many opportunities to connect with consumers, drive e-commerce sales, increase wine club memberships, and secure tasting room reservations. However, the complexity of digital marketing can be daunting for wineries who are newcomers to SEO.

We created a simple guide for these platforms and offer essential benchmarks for evaluating your online presence.

Get Support Now

Understanding the Marketing Funnel

A fundamental aspect of mastering ad platforms is grasping the marketing funnel, which outlines the journey consumers take from brand awareness to making a purchase:

Awareness

Potential customers discover your winery.

Interest

Spark curiosity to research more about your winery.

Decision

They contemplate visiting your tasting room or purchasing your wine.

Action (Conversion)

They commit to a purchase, join your wine club, or schedule a tasting.

digital marketing funnel for wineries and success metrics

SEO Strategies For Wineries

To effectively navigate the SEO funnel, wineries should focus on the following strategies:

Keyword Optimization

Identify relevant keywords related to your winery, wines, and location, and incorporate them naturally into your website content. High-volume keywords like “wine tasting” “wineries in Napa” and “food and wine pairing” would be popular keywords to target.

Content Creation

Produce high-quality, informative content that resonates with your target audience, such as blog posts, wine guides, and vineyard tours. Your content needs substance and can provide quality information to your winery visitors.

Local SEO

Optimize your website for local searches by including location-based keywords. Creating and optimizing a Google My Business profile will improve your visibility in Google Maps so people searching for wineries within a radius can find you. Obtaining citations from local directories can increase your visibility through referring websites like sonomacounty.com

Website Optimization

Ensure your website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for speed to provide visitors with a seamless browsing experience with opportunities to convert.

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Keyword Rankings of Healdsburg Wineries

SEO Benchmarks and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

To measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts, it’s essential to track the following KPIs and benchmarks:

Organic Traffic

  • The number of visitors coming to your website from organic search results.
    • Benchmark: Aim for consistent growth in organic traffic over time.

Keyword Rankings

  • The positions of your website’s pages in search engine results pages (SERPs) for targeted keywords.
    • Benchmark: Monitor keyword rankings regularly and strive to improve your rankings for relevant keywords.

Click-Through Rate (CTR)

  • The percentage of users who click on your website’s link in search results.
  • Benchmark: Aim for a CTR above the industry average for wineries which is 5-6%.

Bounce Rate

  • The percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing only one page.
    • Benchmark: Strive to maintain a low bounce rate, indicating that visitors are engaging with your content.

Conversion Rate

  • The percentage of visitors who complete a desired action on your website, such as making a purchase, booking a wine tasting, or signing up for your wine club.
    • Benchmark: Aim to achieve a conversion rate that exceeds industry standards with growth over time.

New User Traffic

  • The amount of new customers visiting your website.
    • Benchmark: Try to increase your new user traffic over time by comparing traffic data with previous time periods.

What-If Scenarios and Actionable Insights

In scenarios where your SEO metrics are not reaching the benchmarks, consider the following actionable insights:

  • Low Organic Traffic: Focus on improving your website’s visibility through content optimization, link building, and technical SEO enhancements.
  • Declining Keyword Rankings: Evaluate your keyword strategy and consider updating your content to better target relevant keywords.
  • High Bounce Rate: Enhance your website’s usability, readability, and content quality to improve the user experience.
  • Low Conversion Rate: Analyze your conversion funnel, identify potential barriers to conversion, and implement optimization tactics to improve conversion rates.

Need Support Getting Your Winery on the Map?

Laced Media can help get your winery more visitors. In regions with oversaturation of wineries like Sonoma County and Napa County, the online search for the perfect winery experience can be daunting.

That’s where we come in. By securing top placement in Google search results for relevant terms, we ensure that your winery stands out effortlessly among your competition. With many local wineries overlooking the power of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), this presents a golden opportunity for your establishment to rise above and capture the attention of discerning visitors. Let us guide you towards unparalleled visibility and increased foot traffic.

Get An SEO Expert For Your Winery

An SEO Expert can get your winery more visibility, increase traffic, and gain new customers with measurable data!  Laced Media has professional SEO experts to support your wineries in Digital Marketing. Schedule a free consultation call today.

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Understanding Dropshipping: The Business Model Revolutionizing E-commerce

How To Start A Dropshipping Business

In recent years, dropshipping has emerged as a popular business model in the realm of e-commerce websites, offering entrepreneurs an innovative way to start and scale online businesses without the traditional burdens of inventory management and shipping logistics. Let’s explore what dropshipping entails, why it has gained immense popularity and strategies for effectively marketing a dropship website.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer. In essence, the merchant acts as a middleman, facilitating transactions without ever handling the physical products.

setting up your dropshipping website

How To Create A Dropshipping

content writing for a website for SEO
  1. Product Selection: The dropshipper selects products to sell from suppliers’ catalogs. These products can range from electronics to clothing, home goods, and more.

  2. Setting Up an Online Store: The dropshipper creates an online storefront, showcasing the selected products. This could be through platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom-built websites.

  3. Customer Orders: Customers visit the online store, browse products, and place orders. The dropshipper then forwards the order and customer details to the supplier.

  4. Supplier Fulfillment: The supplier packages and ships the product directly to the customer, often under the dropshipper’s branding. The dropshipper pays the wholesale price to the supplier, keeping the retail margin as profit.

  5. Customer Service: The dropshipper handles customer inquiries, issues, and returns, providing a seamless experience despite not physically handling the products.

dropshipping marketing ideas

Why is Dropshipping So Popular?

Several factors contribute to the popularity of dropshipping:

Low Initial Investment: Unlike traditional retail models that require significant capital for inventory, dropshipping allows entrepreneurs to start with minimal upfront investment since they don’t need to purchase inventory upfront.

Minimal Overhead Costs: Operating a dropshipping business eliminates the need for warehousing, inventory management, and fulfillment infrastructure, reducing overhead expenses significantly.

Location Independence: Dropshipping can be managed from anywhere with an internet connection, offering flexibility and freedom for entrepreneurs to run their businesses remotely.

Scalability: With dropshipping, scaling a business is relatively straightforward. As sales increase, the dropshipper can add more products or expand into new markets without the constraints of inventory management.

Wide Product Selection: Dropshipping allows access to an extensive range of products without the need to stock inventory, enabling merchants to cater to diverse customer preferences and market demands.

Marketing Strategies for Dropshipping Websites

While dropshipping offers many advantages, success hinges on effective marketing strategies to drive traffic and conversions to the online store. Here are some proven tactics:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing the dropship website for search engines improves visibility and organic traffic. This involves keyword research, creating high-quality content, optimizing product pages, and building backlinks.

Social Media Marketing: Leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest can help reach a broader audience. Engaging content, influencer partnerships, and targeted advertising are effective tactics for driving traffic and generating sales.

Email Marketing: Building an email list allows dropshippers to nurture leads, promote products, and drive repeat purchases. Offering incentives like discounts or freebies encourages visitors to subscribe and stay engaged.

Paid Advertising: Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads enables precise targeting and immediate visibility. Effective ad copy, compelling visuals, and A/B testing are crucial for maximizing ROI.

Content Marketing: Creating valuable and informative content such as blog posts, tutorials, and product reviews can attract and engage potential customers. Content that addresses pain points or provides solutions establishes credibility and fosters trust.

Partnerships and Affiliates: Collaborating with influencers, bloggers, and complementary businesses can expand reach and drive referral traffic. Affiliate marketing programs incentivize partners to promote products in exchange for commissions on sales.

dropship e-commerce websites

Get A Dropship Website

We build and optimize dropship websites increasing their visibility, increasing traffic, and selling more products with measurable data!  Laced Media has the experts to get your idea moving and thriving. Schedule a free consultation call today.

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